The Milton Vineyard - A Brief History
http://www.milton.co.nz
In 1984 James and Annie Millton established their winery on the banks of the Te Arai River near Manutuke where the early settlers first planted grapevines in 1871. This region is situated on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand in the winegrowing region known as Gisborne. Originally Annie's father, Mr John Clark, had developed vineyards on his estate at "Opou" in Manutuke during the late 1960's. They returned to Gisborne after experience gained in the famous wine regions of France and Germany including Champagne Bollinger, Maison Sichel in Bordeaux and Weingut Kurstner in Rheinhessen. By 1983 they had extensively researched and replanted major parts of the families’ grape growing business.
In the early part of The Millton Vineyard’s establishment arrays of quality wine were produced, not only winning favour with foundation customers, but pleasing the national judges as well. Recognition was rapidly achieved by winning Read more »

The Milton Vineyard - A Brief History
http://www.milton.co.nz
In 1984 James and Annie Millton established their winery on the banks of the Te Arai River near Manutuke where the early settlers first planted grapevines in 1871. This region is situated on the East Coast of the North Island of New Zealand in the winegrowing region known as Gisborne. Originally Annie's father, Mr John Clark, had developed vineyards on his estate at "Opou" in Manutuke during the late 1960's. They returned to Gisborne after experience gained in the famous wine regions of France and Germany including Champagne Bollinger, Maison Sichel in Bordeaux and Weingut Kurstner in Rheinhessen. By 1983 they had extensively researched and replanted major parts of the families’ grape growing business.
In the early part of The Millton Vineyard’s establishment arrays of quality wine were produced, not only winning favour with foundation customers, but pleasing the national judges as well. Recognition was rapidly achieved by winning numerous trophies and gold medals, for the traditionally styled Riesling and Chenin Blanc. Internationally, gold medals were awarded at the International Wine Challenge, held annually in London, for the 1992 Gisborne Chardonnay. This wine went on to win the trophy at the International Organic Wine Challenge Fair while the two other wines entered came second and third. We achieved a similar result at the 2004 San Francisco Wine Fair with Gold medals for the Riesling and the Chenin Blanc. The Chenin Blanc also won the trophy moving this particular wine into the position of its current prestige as being a new-world wine classic and one of “1001 wines to drink before you die” (1001 Wines You Must Try Before You Die, Ed. Beckett, 2008. Published by Penguin)
Our Vineyards
We believe the terroir gives the wine the flavours and characteristic. We do not disguise nor dress up the unique character with outside influences or winemaking manipulations. Therefore, the soil and climate play the major role in our wines. We are merely the caretakers of the fruits of our labours.
Our vineyards are situated in four locations in the Manutuke and Matawhero appellations. Traditional viticulture is practised in all vineyards. No insecticide, herbicide, systemic fungicide or soluble fertilisers are used in the vineyard, with The Millton Vineyard being New Zealand's first commercial fully certified organic winegrowers. Following the indications given by Dr. Rudolf Steiner in 1924 biodynamic techniques are used in all areas of the production. In 2009 the vineyards have been certified biodynamic with Demeter New Zealand.
– Description from
Sileni(hide)

Softly aromatic with earthy notes of dried oats, dried herb, hay and some stone. This is very subtle in the mouth. It is elegant with good richness and ripeness, but is not showing much as far as intensity goes The back end shows some growing brightnes...

Sweet and honied on the nose and dripping with pear fruit framed by light butterscotch and toasted almond notes, with hints of pollen and dried pressed flowers. Rather light-bodied at first with a touch of tannin adding texture to the mid-palate. showi...

Softly aromatic with earthy notes of dried oats, dried herb, hay and some stone. This is very subtle in the mouth. It is elegant with good richness and ripeness, but is not showing much as far as intensity goes The back end shows some growing brightness and leads to a very fine finish with real finesse and emerging notes of earth and spicy miner...
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Sweet and honied on the nose and dripping with pear fruit framed by light butterscotch and toasted almond notes, with hints of pollen and dried pressed flowers. Rather light-bodied at first with a touch of tannin adding texture to the mid-palate. showing fine apple fruit with a hint of honey. There is lovely clarity and brightness to the fruit, ...
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dry, refreshing, elegant wine. Cider and honey aromas. Medium rich mouth feel .Up front lime and apples with great minerality at the finish. Echoes of flat nv champagne though with a golden hue golden . A bit of residual sugar present which maintains a great balance in the wine. only off comment would be slightly too much alcohol as there is a...
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